Foreign Objects: Extra Cooler is worthy of the ‘Extra’

Foreign Objects: Extra Cooler is worthy of the ‘Extra’

In addition to his duties as a writer and journalist, Nicholas Grooms also owns and operates Badguywrestler Toys & Pro-Wrestling Collectibles. He has been a pro-wrestling toy and memorabilia collector for over 25 years and in that span of time has become a revered expert and appraiser with a knack for locating and identifying hard to find or extremely rare wrestling items. He has bought and sold to collectors, museums, promotions and sponsored/appeared at a range of events and boasts such superstars as Hulk Hogan, “Wildman” Marc Mero & Kassius Ohno (Chris Hero) as past buyers.

“Foreign Objects” will be a regular column focusing on Pro-Wrestling Collectibles, memorabilia and the people who collect and create these items in an effort to educate, enthuse and help collectors network with one another no matter how amateur or advanced they are in understanding. Got a cool item you want to show off or have something worthy of being shared in this column? Be sure you follow @NicholasGrooms on Twitter and share your collections! Please enjoy this installment of “Foreign Objects.”

Of all of the pro-wrestling items in existence, without a doubt, the old WWF era Hasbro toy line is and always will be the admitted favorite area of my collection. Sometime last year, I was introduced to amazing page called “Extra Cooler” where the ghosts of Hasbro’s past come back to life in some of the most fantastic art prints and enamel pins I have ever seen; many of which depict the old WWF Hasbro favorites we all know and love.

While some prints depict the old lines as is, Extra Cooler has plenty of room to grow in the form of prints depicting the superstars of today in the form of retro “Hasbros” as well as new takes on old favorites; such as a Hasbro Hulk Hogan made to look like his “Hollywood” Hogan counterpart. In need of a killer gift or something to leave your “mark” friends in awe? Extra Cooler also offers a service where you can have yourself or anyone you know drawn to look like a Hasbro WWF action figure…a service I intend on using in the very near future. Aside from the WWF Hasbro prints, the page also has a plethora of other amazing wrestling related art ranging from WWF era wrestling buddies, wrestling superstars drawn as children, and wrestler’s drawn in a cartoon style.

Extra Cooler is the brainchild of an Orange County, New York based elementary art teacher named Nick Camia; who created the site as a way to share his art in the form of toys he grew up loving. The buzz for Camia’s art is stronger than ever, even boasting acclaim from current WWE superstars such as Zack Ryder. While this column is mostly for collectibles of the past, there is definitely room for a piece of Camia’s unique art in every wrestling collection. Whether you are a new collector obsessed with the current roster or someone who has watched for decades, there is without a doubt something for you to love on the Extra Cooler website.

With WWE on a witch hunt on artists in progress, it is more important than ever to support our favorite artists and the works they create. Artists who create out of passion often scrape by selling a few prints of something that WWE never intends to create while the billion dollar corporation powers forward making more money than ever. I suggest you get over to the Extra Cooler page TODAY and grab something before it is gone.

Camia’s deep love for creating is felt in his most recent Twitter post lamenting the removal of some of his work from his Etsy store:

“Well, they found me. WWE shut down a bunch of my listings on Etsy. If you are interested in any prints, Macho Buddy pins or custom work, feel free to send me a message. This won’t stop me, that’s for sure.”

Here is every possible place you can find Camia online to grab your prints!

Nicholas Grooms is an accomplished writer, journalist and hip hop artist with many writing credits to his name. He is best know for his work creating songs for the Kansas City Chiefs football organization and is author of the book "Me, Myself & I Hate You: Stories of Adventure, Lust & Shi**y Paychecks". He regularly writes for FightBoothPW, SteelChair Magazine, Vulturehound Magazine and freelances elsewhere. He is also host of the "Nick is Pissed!" podcast which is based on his misadventures in life. You can find him @NicholasGrooms on Twitter or @officialnicholasgrooms on Instagram.